Chapter 54: Communicating with a Big Shot

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Communicating with a Big Shot

Li Heng regulated his breathing, trying his best to understand the meaning behind Lin Jiangang’s words. ’What does he mean, he came to see me personally precisely *because* other people are too outstanding?’

It wasn’t just Li Heng who was confused; his parents were also a bit puzzled. From what Lin Jiangang had said earlier, they had managed to grasp a few things.

Although their son was a Soul Apprentice, the other students seemed even more outstanding.

Some even possessed soul qi pets with names that sounded incredibly impressive. So why on earth would the spot for the "National Directed Exam" fall to their son?

Seemingly noticing the family’s confusion, Lin Jiangang didn’t hesitate and continued, "Uh... Sir, Ma’am, please don’t worry. Considering various details, application materials, and so on... if it’s convenient, I’d like to take Student Li Heng to the City Combat Hall for a bit. I promise it won’t have any negative impact on him."

’At this hour?!’

’That’s not appropriate!’

’Besides... that whatever-it-is National Directed Secret Realm Exam, did I even agree to participate? And he’s just going to take me away now?’

’And anyway, my parents would never agree to this so late at night!’

"In that case, Manager Lin, we’ll have to trouble you!"

"Manager Lin, will you need Hengzi’s household registration or anything? I’ll go get it right now!"

Li Heng: ’???’

’Wait, isn’t this the first time you’ve met this Manager Lin? He wants to take your precious son away at this hour, and you two aren’t even going to think it over? You’re just letting go this easily?’

Li Heng’s internal monologue went into full-on rant mode, but seeing his parents’ expressions, he suppressed the urge to speak up. He shot his parents a slightly aggrieved look, which was selectively ignored by Mr. and Mrs. Li Guobin.

"Go get your gear. You might need it in a bit," Lin Jiangang said to Li Heng after a moment of silence, having seen his parents nod in agreement.

Seeing there was no getting out of it, he didn’t hesitate any longer. He adjusted his mindset slightly and pretended to go back to his room to get his Cyan Blade Longsword, when in reality, he was taking his equipment out of his Space Stone.

Seeing Li Heng retrieve the Cyan Blade Longsword, Lin Jiangang simply nodded. He then turned to Mr. and Mrs. Li Guobin and said, "Sir, Ma’am, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’m just taking Student Li Heng for a test and to prepare some documents. We should be back very soon."

"We’ll have to trouble you then, Manager Lin."

"Hengzi, don’t cause any trouble for Manager Lin on the way!"

’This is too real!’

Li Heng hadn’t said a single word the entire time, but his parents’ worried expressions, as if he were guaranteed to cause trouble, were painfully realistic.

And so, Li Heng was led out of his home by Lin Jiangang.

"Student Li Heng, I’ve seen the corpse of the Frost Spider you killed. To be honest... in terms of Swordsmanship alone, you’re probably the strongest among all high school students in the city." Lin Jiangang spoke up as soon as they stepped out the door.

Caught off guard by the sudden praise, Li Heng was a bit at a loss. But hearing this, he began to understand why Lin Jiangang "valued" him. ’But can he really tell my level of Swordsmanship just from the corpse of a Frost Spider?’

’Back then, I think I only knew the Alliance’s basic swordsmanship, right?’

Li Heng didn’t know how to respond, so he just said, "I was just lucky, just lucky."

"I don’t know why you would hide your Cultivation, not even telling your own parents..."

To this, Li Heng could only think that he hadn’t wanted to hide it from his parents, or anyone else for that matter. He was just trying to be low-key, wanting to keep the existence of the system a secret locked away in his heart.

To minimize the risk of exposing the system.

But before Li Heng could say anything, Lin Jiangang continued, "However, I learned from other channels about your reserved personality. There’s nothing wrong with being low-key and hiding your Cultivation. But there’s a certain type of person who, no matter how reserved their personality or how deeply they hide, can’t stay hidden for long!"

"What type of person?" Li Heng asked, confused.

"A genius! A genius like you, with exceptional talent in the Sword Way! Do you know what I truly saw on the Frost Spider’s corpse?"

"What?"

"Sword Intent! I once had the honor of witnessing the skills of a swordsmanship master, and from the Frost Spider’s corpse, I felt the same kind of essence! And four days ago, you comprehended a sword move in the skill shop, didn’t you?"

Lin Jiangang spoke these words very calmly, but he enunciated each word with heavy emphasis.

’Is my rudimentary Sword Intent really that amazing?’

’He can tell I’m a genius from that?’

Li Heng tactfully remained silent. He knew the so-called "genius" Lin Jiangang was talking about was actually the result of his system’s boost. He also sensed that Lin Jiangang had more to say, so he quietly waited for him to continue.

"So, to sum it up, Student Li Heng, there’s absolutely no problem with you participating in the National Directed Exam. I, Lin Jiangang, can’t make many promises, but my judgment has never been poor! I’m a good judge of character! The fact that you’re a Sword Way genius can’t be hidden from me!"

With him putting it like that, Li Heng really couldn’t find anything to say. He could only ask about something else: "Well, Manager Lin, may I ask... why are you taking me to the City Combat Hall now? You seem to be in a bit of a hurry. Is there a reason?"

From Li Heng’s perspective, Lin Jiangang had already confirmed his strength and seen how incredible he (or rather, his system) was.

’So there shouldn’t be any need to bring gear to the City Combat Hall, right?’

’It must be for some other reason.’

However, Lin Jiangang didn’t answer Li Heng’s question directly. Instead, he changed the subject: "Have you ever ridden a soul beast?"

Hearing Lin Jiangang’s question, Li Heng realized they had already reached the entrance of his residential complex.

Li Heng shook his head. He looked around and saw no waiting vehicles but seemed to guess what was coming. Then, he felt a strong gust of wind brush past his face.

WHOOSH~

A warhorse made entirely of bone suddenly appeared before them. Its hooves glowed with a faint green light, and its skull also shone with a green radiance.

"I have a permit, so I can release my soul qi pet anywhere. Hop on, won’t you?"

Ghostly Warhorse: Undead

Level: 22

Tier: Tier Two Low-Grade Soul Beast

Strength: 26

Agility: 30

Spirit: 1

Soul Qi: 400

Li Heng stared at the Ghostly Warhorse without a word, an indescribable envy filling his heart.

He had wanted his own soul qi pet ever since he saw Lin Tao’s Blood Wolf cub. Now, seeing this rideable Ghostly Warhorse that stood over two meters tall...

To say he wasn’t jealous would be a lie; his heart was filled with sour grapes.

Seeing Li Heng’s somewhat sour expression, Lin Jiangang actually smiled. In a playful tone, he asked, "Don’t be so sour! For a genius like you, getting your own soul qi pet is just a matter of time. When that day comes, you’ll have so many pets you won’t know how to raise them all. Right, Student Li Heng, who’s about to break through to the Soul Warrior realm?"